Transition

The transition planning process addresses what the person needs in order to participate in his or her environment as fully as possible. Transition planning uses the personâ€™s strength, talents, and abilities to identify strategies that can be used to address those needs. It also identifies what othersâ€”parents, siblings, community agenciesâ€”can do to assist. Planning in advance for life changes allows the resources and supports to be in place so that the transition can be smooth.

Our Work in Transition
With the support of the U.S. Special Education Advisory Committee, Bhutan has begun to embrace the concept of transition planning for children with special needs. With the Ministry of Education, they have begun to bring together the various agencies and stakeholders that can provide assistance in the transition process. They are working to develop assessment tools that will be available to schools and families that will assist them in identifying the transition needs of a child with a disability. Other initiatives include collaborations between schools, agencies, businesses and the community to provide living and vocational skills to students before they graduate from school. Students have already been successfully placed in businesses for on the job training, leading some to permanent employment.Â Organizations like Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children and Youth, Disabled Persons Association of Bhutan (DPAB), and Ability Bhutan Society (ABS) are key stakeholders that continue to play a part in this transition process.

Our Goal for Transition in the Future
The goal of transition planning is for students with special needs to have a positive future, fully participating in their community. Transition planning provides studentsÂ with the needed skills and supports to live (have friends and social connections), learn (obtain new skills after schooling ends), and earn (have a job that contributes to the local economy).